Coolant / GPU Block Question

[semlethe3rd]

My water cooling parts:

Swiftech MCP 355 12v DC Pump
XSPC RX360 - Triple 120mm high performance radiator
XSPC - Acrylic Reservoir for Laing DDC
Masterkleer Tubing 7/16" ID 5/8" OD
Swiftech RadBox MCB-120 Revision 2 - Black
Bitspower True Silver G1/4 High Flow 1/2" Barb
Watercool HEATKILLER? CPU Rev3.0 775 LT CPU Water Block

My first question is do I need to add an additive to the distilled water for this setup? I realize my cpu block+radiator are copper and my barbs are silver so im assuming i have too. I have read many different forums / reviews claiming different things about additives, what would you guys suggest? Can i just use my cars antifreeze coolant with like a 25% coolant / 75% water mixture?

Second question is about buying a gpu block. I've been reading reviews and trying to find the best match for me. I realize i should go with one with a low pressure drop considering it will be in the same loop as my cpu. Any suggestions / recommendations will be appreciated, thank you =)

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Copper & Silver are great anti-microbial/alge properties and you probably won't need anything more.

Boil all your parts in distilled water first. This way you won't leave any residue from hard-water.

 

[semlethe3rd]

Good to know, will adding coolant to it anyways be a problem?

Also i realized I never mentioned what card i wanted a gpu block for, I own a 280 GTX. =)

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Coolant to an already water cooling system? Why?

 

[semlethe3rd]

Well if you must know i have already added the mixture into my loop because i installed it last Friday. =P Being unsure at the time i figured following a guide i was reading wouldn't be a big deal. Now its already in there running fine, but i was wondering if it was hurting my performance. =P . Also to get my 7/16's tubing over my 1/2 barbs i heated the tubing in warm water, now I cant seem to disconnect them =x any suggestions? This information will be helpful when I go to add the gpu block. Thanks again!

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I have no educated answer for the antifreeze coolant in your h20 system... you'll have to wait for Aigo to answer that.

I am using the same tubing and I can tell you to forget about pulling the tubing off the barbs. You'll have to cut it off with scissors or a razor and then remeasure that same tubing when replacing it.

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
I am using the same tubing and I can tell you to forget about pulling the tubing off the barbs. You'll have to cut it off with scissors or a razor and then remeasure that same tubing when replacing it.

Yep, gotta love it. Using 7/16 tubing on 1/2 barbs essentially secures itself.

 

[WoodButcher]

The "coolant" antifreeze like automotive? It won't hurt but it won't help either. Many tend to leave a residue in your system that clouds the tubing, it's a lubricant. Another thing is that they change the viscosity of the water and make the pump work harder so I've read. I've used a 10% Prestone distilled water mix in different loops and never had a failure other than a TT unit I had bought many moons ago when I first got into water. If your barbs are silver and the only other metal in your loop is copper you don't need anything but distilled water in your loop. You won't have problems with dissimilar metals corrosion and the silver will take care of the biocide. Personally I would rinse with hot distilled and run it plain.